It’s all change at Ochilview this week following the departure of Stephen Swift, Michael Moore and Frazer Wright.
Sean Crighton takes the reins while the Club look for a replacement for Swifty in, what will be, the Club’s 26th permanent manager.
Ray McKinnon brings his Forfar side to Ochilview for the final fixture of this calendar year. The Warriors have performed well against The Loons, being undefeated in the last 5 meetings. They also find themselves bottom of League Two, though a victory on Saturday will take them only one point behind their hosts.
Following a busy week at the club, the website was able to catch up with interim manager Sean Crighton and how he’s feeling.
“Obviously gutted for the way that things panned out for the gaffer and Fraz and Mick. For me, Â we’ve probably underperformed as players and I’m just going to do what I can to try and get the players back playing and hopefully try and get us back to where I think that we should be.
“We’ve got a good group of players and, as I say, we’ve underperformed, but I’m hoping that me coming in for a couple of weeks, we can try and get a bit of foundation and hopefully get the points that are needed.”
Preparation has obviously been disrupted this week, but how has Sean’s week with the boys been?
“Well, this has been the first night taking the team. Obviously we found out the news yesterday [Wedneday] and it’s been good tonight. There’s a good buzz about the place and I’ve had a chat with the boys with what I’d be looking to do. I’ve also spoken with the Chairman to let him know my thoughts on stuff and their thoughts too. But, as I say, there’s a good buzz about the players and I feel as if I’m going to get the best out of them for a couple of weeks. ”
Onto Saturday’s opponents. We’re undefeated in five and they find themselves bottom of the table. However, with a good victory over Albion Rovers on Saturday, they’re looking to start a run of form.
“I’ll say this in every interview I do, as a player, as caretaker manager, every game is difficult. They’ve just come off a good win against a good Albion Rovers side, so we’ll look to concentrate on us first and foremost, and I think that’s what we need to do. We are expecting a tough game, but I’ve every confidence in the boys to get the win.”
And finally, with the squad looking bare thin following last weekend’s loss in Elgin, is there any positive news?
“We’ve got good news and bad news. I’m out with a torn calf for a few weeks, Danny has an issue in his hip area and will also miss out. But Nicky and Nat both trained tonight [Thursday], so I’ll assess both and see how they feel for Saturday but it’s good to have those two back as well.
“Adam’s [Corbett] had no problem this week, it’s just been a bit of tightness last week that’s caused him an issue. I may have to put people into positions that they don’t usually play. But, at the end of the day, I need to get the best out of the squad as a whole and hopefully get everyone back over the next few weeks.”
MATCHDAY INFORMATION
Kick-off:Â 3pm
Match Entry: Both home and away fans can enter via pay at the gate [cash] or you can purchase your ticket in advance by using Fanbase. Adult admission costing £14, concessions £9 and under 16’s just £6. Under 16 Season Ticket holders for both clubs can enter for free.
PPV:Â Warriors TV is live and you can join Cammy McIntyre from 2.45pm. PPV is ÂŁ10 and you can watch it here.
Getting Here: Click here for details of how to get to Ochilview by car or train.
Season Card Holders:Â Season Tickets are valid for this match and the ticket number will be shown on the turnstiles.
The Pie Hut:Â Food and drinks will be available to be purchased from the Pie Hut.
The Wee Bar:Â The Wee Bar is open from 12pm with all fans welcome.
Ochilview Matchday Guide: You can read our Matchday Guide here and ensure that you have everything that you need for your visit to the ground.
Referee:Â Iain Sneddon
Assistants:Â Andy Milne &Â Euan Birch
Player DJ:Â Scott Walker
Bakermat – Baby
Bellini – Samba de Janeiro
Fleetwood Mac – Everywhere
Crystal Waters – Gypsy Women
The Beatles – Twist and Shout
We’ve added all of our Player DJ selections to a Spotify Playlist, and you can listen HERE.
OPPOSITION INFORMATION
Full name               Forfar Athletic Football Club
Nickname(s)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The Loons, Sky Blues
Founded                 1885; 137 years ago
Ground                   Station Park, Forfar
Capacity                  6,777 (739 seated)
Chairman               Scott Murdie
Manager                 Ray McKinnon
2021–22                  Scottish League Two, 2nd of 10
Last 10 MatchesÂ
| Date | Venue | Competition | Opponent | Result | Score |
| 3 Dec | Home | League Two | Albion Rovers | W | 1-0 |
| 26 Nov | Away | Scottish Cup | Dunfermline Athletic | L | 4-0 |
| 19 Nov | Away | League Two | Dumbarton | D | 2-2 |
| 12 Nov | Home | League Two | Bonnyrigg Rose | D | 1-1 |
| 5 Nov | Home | League Two | Annan Athletic | L | 1-4 |
| 29 Oct | Away | League Two | Stranraer | L | 1-0 |
| 22 Oct | Away | Scottish Cup | Kilwinning Rangers | W | 1-3 |
| 15 Oct | Away | League Two | Elgin City | W | 0-1 |
| 8 Oct | Home | League Two | East Fife | L | 1-3 |
| 1 Oct | Home | League Two | Dumbarton | D | 0-0 |
Top Scorers
| Rank | Name | Goals | Assists | Played | Goals per 90 | Mins per Goal | Total Shots | Goal Conversion | Shot Accuracy |
| 1 |
Matthew Aitken
|
4 |
1 | 20 | 0.27 | 337 | 20 | 20% | 55% |
| 2 |
Stefan McCluskey
|
3 |
2 | 19 | 0.17 | 522 | 21 | 14% | 57% |
| 2 |
Ben Armour
|
3 |
1 | 17 | 0.3 | 297 | 11 | 27% | 64% |
| 4 |
Joshua Jack
|
2 |
1 | 19 | 0.21 | 426 | 12 | 17% | 42% |
| 5 |
Craig Slater
|
1 |
1 | 18 | 0.06 | 1409 | 26 | 4% | 58% |
| 5 |
Jaden Ferguson
|
1 |
0 | 7 | 0.32 | 280 | 4 | 25% | 50% |
| 5 |
Kevin Hanratty
|
1 |
0 | 14 | 0.15 | 600 | 7 | 14% | 71% |
| 5 |
Kyle Hutton
|
1 |
0 | 18 | 0.06 | 1389 | 4 | 25% | 75% |
| 5 |
Roberto Nditi
|
1 |
0 | 17 | 0.06 | 1485 | 9 | 11% | 56% |
| 5 |
Andrew Munro
|
1 |
0 | 18 | 0.06 | 1620 | 13 | 8% | 38% |
The statistics shown for each player include any goals they may have scored in the following competitions in the current season: Scottish League Cup, Scottish League Two
FIXTURE INFORMATION
Last 10Â Meetings
| Date | Venue | Competition | Result | Score |
| 27 Aug 22 | Away | League Two | W | 1-2 |
| 30 Apr 22 | Away | League Two | D | 0-0 |
| 26 Feb 22 | Home | League Two | W | 2-0 |
| 26 Dec 21 | Away | League Two | W | 3-4 |
| 2 Oct 21 | Home | League Two | D | 1-1 |
| 20 Apr 19 | Home | League One | L | 0-3 |
| 23 Feb 19 | Away | League One | L | 2-1 |
| 20 Oct 18 | Home | League One | L | 1-2 |
| 25 Aug 18 | Away | League One | L | 2-0 |
| 26 Mar 16 | Home | League One | W | 2-1 |
| 23 Jan 16 | Away | League One | W | 0-1 |
ON THIS DAY – 10 DecemberÂ
| Year | Opponent | Competition | Venue | Result | Score |
| 2016 | Airdrieonians | League One | Away | W | 0-5 |
| 2011 | Airdrieonians | Division Two | Home | D | 1-1 |
| 2005 | Partick Thistle | Scottish Cup R2 | Home | L | 1-4 |
| 1996 | Hamilton Academical | Division Two | Away | W | 0-2 |
| 1988 | Arbroath | Division Two | Home | D | 0-0 |
| 1983 | East Stirlingshire | Scottish Cup R1 | Away | L | 1-0 |
| 1977 | East Stirlingshire | Division Two | Home | W | 1-0 |
| 1966 | Third Lanark | Division Two | Away | L | 3-1 |
| 1960 | Queens Park | Division Two | Away | L | 4-2 |
| 1955 | Queens Park | Division Two | Away | L | 2-0 |
| 1949 | Cowdenbeath | Division Two | Home | L | 0-1 |
| 1938 | Dunfermline Athletic | Division Two | Away | L | 7-1 |
| 1932 | Forfar Athletic | Division Two | Away | W | 1-2 |
| 1927 | Third Lanark | Division Two | Home | W | 1-0 |
| 1921 | East Stirlingshire | Division Two | Away | D | 0-0 |
LEAGUE INFORMATION
East Fife vs Bonnyrigg Rose
Stenhousemuir vs Forfar Athletic
2022/23 League Table
| Pos | Club | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Stenhousemuir WFC | 28 | 17 | 3 | 8 | 67 | 41 | 26 | 54 |
| 2 |  Dumbarton | 27 | 16 | 5 | 6 | 41 | 29 | 12 | 53 |
| 3 |  Stirling Albion | 26 | 15 | 7 | 4 | 51 | 29 | 22 | 52 |
| 4 |  Annan Athletic | 29 | 11 | 7 | 11 | 51 | 45 | 6 | 40 |
| 5 |  East Fife | 29 | 11 | 7 | 11 | 40 | 44 | -4 | 40 |
| 6 |  Stenhousemuir | 28 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 44 | 45 | -1 | 38 |
| 7 |  Forfar Athletic | 27 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 31 | 34 | -3 | 37 |
| 8 |  Elgin City | 27 | 9 | 6 | 12 | 39 | 46 | -7 | 33 |
| 9 |  Stranraer | 28 | 9 | 6 | 13 | 36 | 46 | -10 | 33 |
| 10 |  Albion Rovers | 28 | 8 | 6 | 14 | 37 | 37 | 0 | 30 |
| 11 |  Bonnyrigg Rose | 29 | 7 | 7 | 15 | 30 | 45 | -15 | 28 |
| 12 |  Westdyke | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| 13 |  Kilmarnock | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| 14 |  Rossvale | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 15 |  Formartine United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| 16 |  Montrose | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| 17 |  Giffnock | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 0 |
| 18 |  Fraserburgh | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
| 19 |  Grampian Ladies | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 0 |
| 20 |  Dundee West | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 | -7 | 0 |
| 21 |  Airdrie Ladies | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 9 | -8 | 0 |
